MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / October 12, 1998

EDGARD – Brandon Delaneuville scored twice and the Riverside defense pushed aside three West St. John drives inside the 20-yard line as theRebels ended the Rams’ six-year winning streak in district play, 26-6, Friday night at West St. John Stadium.Riverside improved to 5-1 on the season and 1-0 in District 9-2A play.

West St. John fell to 3-3 overall and 0-1 in district play. The Rams hadnot loss a district game since the 1992 season.

It was West St. John that had the first opportunity to get on thescoreboard as a high snap on a punt attempt by the Rebels gave the Rams the ball at the Riverside 40-yard line on their first possession. CarlGauthier went right to work, finding Donriel Louis on the left sideline at the Rebel 10-yard line. But the Riverside defense stiffened and Gauthier’spass on fourth down went through the end zone incomplete.

Riverside took over and Joey Poirrier immediately found Keith Leblanc on the right sideline for a 35-yard gain to the West St. John 38. But on third-and-5 from the 33, Marlon Jackson chased down Poirrier for a 6-yard loss and the Rebels were forced to punt.

Riverside forced West St. John to punt from its 20-yard line on its nextpossession. Leblanc ran up to catch the punt at the West St. John 48-yardline and returned it down the left sidelines for 24 yards. A keeper byPoirrier and two runs by Casey Remondet brought the ball to the 2-yard line where Remondet slipped off tackle for the score. Kaleb Mayes addedthe extra point, giving the Rebels a 7-0 lead with 36 seconds left in the first quarter.

West St. John looked to come back on its next possession but a pass fromGauthier to Troy Lagrange for 32 yards to the Riverside 46-yard line but the play was called back on a clip. West St. John was forced to punt withSean Delaneuville coming in get a hand on the ball.

Riverside took over at the West St. John 21-yard line. After a holdingpenalty pushed the Rebels back to the 24, Brandon Delaneuville went up the middle, spun out of a tackle and went in for the touchdown. Mayesadded another extra point to increase the lead to 14-0 with 4:43 left in the half.

West St. John took over at its 28-yard line and began a 15-play, 7 minute,22 second drive. On third-and-5 from the 33, Jamar Bailey followed ablock on a sweep to the right for a 22-yard gain. Bailey would also pick upa first down with a 4-yard gain on third-and-1 from the Riverside 36.

After Jason Hayes and Rhett Vicknair combined on a sack to force a third- and-11 from the 33, Gauthier found LaGrange on the left sideline for 14 yards and a first down. Gauthier then connected with Louis who carriedthe ball to the 1-yard line.

Bailey was stuffed at the line on the first two carries. After a offsidepenalty on the Rams, Gauthier passed to LaGrange in the flat at the 5-yard line. LaGrange was hit and fumbled with Pendarvis Morris recovering atthe 8. Gauthier’s pass into the end zone on fourth down fell incomplete.West St. John stopped the Rebels and took over at the Riverside 45-yardline. Gauthier found Brent Poche on the right sideline for 12 yards andafter a draw by Bailey netted 8 yards, came back with a 13-yard pass to Riverside 12-yard line.

But Riverside again stymied the Rams as Dustin Zimmer stepped in front of the intended receiver in the end zone to intercept Gauthier’s pass, returning it to the 15-yard line with 15 seconds left. West St. John hadout-gained Riverside, 143-123, in the first half but trailed the Rebels, 14-0, at halftime.

Riverside built on its lead on its first possession of the second half.

Remondet made a sliding catch for a 20-yard gain on third-and-9, giving the Rebels a first down at the West St. John 27-yard line. One play later,Poirrier lofted a pass to Delaneuville streaking down the left sidelines.

Delaneuville caught the ball in stride, spun out of a tackle and went in for the touchdown. The snap was fumbled on the extra point attempt, butRiverside held a 20-0 advantage with 8:01 left in the third quarter.

After gauthier connected with LaGrange for 23 yards to midfield, Zimmer ended the drive with an interception at the Riverside 23-yard line. RandyHilaire returned the favor, intercepting a Poirrier pass in the end zone on the Rebels’ next possession.

The West St. John offense came alive again on its next possession. Onthird-and-10 from the 20, Gauthier connected with Poche for nine yards to keep the drive alive.

Facing another third down from the 32-yard line as the fourth quarter opened, Gauthier rolled left and found Louis streaking over the middle.

Louis caught the ball in stride and ran away from everybody to complete the 68-yard scoring strike. Gauthier was sacked on the two pointconversion attempt but the Rams had pulled to within 20-6 with 11:01 left.

But Riverside had an answer two possessions later after taking over at the West St. John 38-yard after a 7-yard punt. Remondet gained sevenyards and Britt Waguespack swept left for eight more. A personal foul callagainst the Rams gave the Rebels a first down at the 8-yard line.

Three plays later, Waguespack swept left and cut in from 4-yards out.

Delaneuville was sacked on the halfback option on the try for two, leaving the score 26-6 with 4:06 remaining.

Remondet led the Rebels on the ground with 85 yards on 18 carries.

Delaneuville added 33 yards on four attempts. Poirrier completed 6 of his8 passes for 129 yards and a touchdown. Leblanc had three catches for 40yards while Remondet had two for 50. The Rebels finished with 272 yardsin total offense.

Gauthier completed 13 of his 26 passes for 203 yards and a touchdown.

Louis was the leading receiver with five catches for 130 yards and a score. Lagrange added five for 47 yards. Bailey was the Rams’ leading ballcarrier with 49 yards on 12 attempts. The Rams had 248 yards in totaloffense.

Riverside hosts cross-parish rival St. Charles Catholic Friday night whileWest St. John travels to Metairie to play St. Martin’s.

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